Living life with chronic illness
Eating a vegetable really shouldn't be a cause for celebration but I've fallen out of all my good habits lately. It's hard coaxing yourself to eat with a fussy migraine brain and the accompanying nausea. But I felt I hit a low point last night when I insisted the only thing I'd have for dinner … Continue reading Small victories #4: ate some peas
I managed to get myself down to my allotment today for the first time in a while. But it was herculean effort to get out the door. I was talking to myself as if I was coaxing a reluctant child "just get your coat on" " see that wasn't so bad, now get your boots", … Continue reading Feeling stuck
The relief from lying down and feeling some of the tension and pain in my neck and shoulders subside.Getting my heap of cushions and pillows just right so my head and neck are completely supported.
For a long time now its taken me forever to get started in the morning. Today I managed to get started on my stretches and actually get out of bed within an hour of waking!
What happened? Day 1: Made a plan then ignored it completely.Day 2 & 3: Did a little better. Made sensible looking plans and more or less alternated nourishing and depleting tasks. Although my work sessions were too long, and rest sessions too short.Day 4: Made a plan but put way too much on it. Stayed … Continue reading Simple but not easy: how I’m doing with nourishing vs depleting
I have been feeling the gravitational pull of my bed almost since I got out of it this morning. I'd find myself stopped still, staring into space. Or absentmindedly taking a seat in the middle of a short conversation, or propping up my head with my hand. I was still surprised to find myself waking … Continue reading Where did my afternoon go?
One of the first approaches to pacing that I had some success with was alternating between nourishing and depleting activities. The basic principle is that some activities use up our energy and others allow us to feel restored. The metaphor that's often used in CBT is that of a phone battery that drains while it … Continue reading Nourishing vs depleting activities: a pacing strategy
My partner took a day off work to give me some company and encouragement. Migraine was better this morning so I was well enough to engage properly when we viewed a house for sale. I met a friend for a quick after-work drink. (credit for the idea of a Good Things Today list belongs to … Continue reading Good things today…
Recently I've progressed from feeling low into depression and one of the tell-take signs is a complete disregard for taking care of myself. I just don't care. And what does an act of self-sabotage look like? It's not going on a bender, avoiding an important deadline or staying up all hours. No - it's going … Continue reading Pitiful acts of rebellion
I experienced a setback during December that seems to be dragging on and on As a result I'm losing the will to keep persevering with rebuilding habits and routines again and again. It seems like I'm hit with a new obstacle or mini-setback before I've got close to where I was in Autumn. I feel … Continue reading Small victory#2: Made some food to freeze for later